Devon Rover

I agree he does - but perhaps still in flashes, rather than as consistently as you look for in a premier league player in his position? Without knowing what he (his agent) is demanding, wage-wise, I can't be sure we should be just agreeing to it. But he would definitely be a huge loss because he is a special kind of player.

"I love it when a plan comes together!"

Right then. I'm part way back to the West Country and wanted to share a couple of thoughts while I have a coffee in services. Firstly, and please don't crucify me for this but, despite being a Rovers fan since 1992, I have NEVER been to Ewood Park before yesterday. I know. Whilst I do feel embarrassed by this, I have my reasons, which relate to stuff you don't want to hear about my long term health condition and financial struggles, as well as the obvious distance from home. A very recent cancer diagnosis in my family - my uncle who used to take a young me on road trips to watch England - has meant I have decided to start taking opportunities where I can, and not waiting for the 'perfect time' in the future. I drove up on my own yesterday as it was quite an emotional thing for me to be doing and I wanted to soak every minute up. Obviously the result was great, as was, I think, the overall performance. Hugely impressed by Rothwell, Wharton and Dolan, in particular, but not exclusively. But the fact this was finally a big 'first' for me (I've been to lots of away matches down South), meant I spent a couple of hours wandering round the stadium before the game, and was just about the last to leave after full-time. This was purely because I wanted to remember every moment of something I had literally dreamed of for many years. And didn't really want it to end - appreciating I can't know when I'll next get to attend. Anyway, despite the low numbers in the crowd, I realised I had found a "happy place" in Ewood Park, and before the game not just after. I made new friends amongst the season ticket holders sat around me (one couple supplied me with chocolates for the match and for my journey home!) I witnessed one of the greatest talents I have ever seen (the chap in front of me, who surprisingly revealed from his coat pocket at half-time a clearly home-prepared hot pie!) I also realised how beautiful the blue and white halves are under floodlights, just like the moon rising in the clear sky behind the Riverside and the silhouetted trees, just a glance away from a "Rovers 4-0" scoreboard. I took my time visiting Jack Walker's statue and fountain and I chatted with stewards and the shop staff. As I stood in the JWU at the end of the game, I looked around at the then totally empty stands and I realised just how lucky I was that my friend Doug Smith had moved from Blackburn to my street in Taunton in the early 90s and 'recruited' me, with his stories of Rovers legends. And how lucky we all still are that we had Jack. What I saw is still what he built. My love and protectiveness of the club is now only greater. I hope that next time I come it might be possible to meet other Forum members. It might just be that I will be less of a pathetic 'fan-boy' about the whole thing. But I suspect, and hope, not entirely. And apologies for this spam message. Just wanted to share a view as someone with a particular perspective on what was, on paper, just a cold Wednesday night v Peterborough. But really wasn't. Now, back to the M6/M5...!

This is pathetic to watch. Only one team set up to win. Or even play football effectively.

God help us today!! That central defence is the stuff of nightmares.

We'd go above Stoke and above Bristol C, who lost last night. Big game today.

Another good result. I think that is us safe? Now for the summer..... I hope we get to start next season in the Championship rather than demotions.

Vital result.

He has pi55ed his career & talent away? I don't like the look of our team. But think we might scrape a 0-0.

Oh no, I'm sorry to read this. Kelbo's posts were always well worth reading. It's strange to feel sad at the loss of someone I never knew, conversed with, nor would have recognised- but his contributions to discussion on here (and the tributes paid by people in this thread) show that he will be missed amongst us too. Rest in peace.

For the less knowledgable amongst us (like me) would it be possible for someone to post a brief description of how Fred was linked to the club/what he contributed? I think that might be helpful and a nice gesture. Thank you. RIP.

Just back from a Sunday roast lunch with the family, shocked and very saddened to hear this news. Speed was a very, very good player and was clearly on the road to becoming a top manager. Such a shame. Condolences to his family, of course.

Morning all My name is Anthony and I live in Exeter. As a boy I supported Arsenal (I know, sorry!) because my dad was a life-long Gooner. When my dad left I was very angry. I cut all ties with Arsenal and came to hate them. We had an elderly neighbour named Doug who was lonely and in my early teens I spent Saturday mornings chatting with him about football and drinking tea. Doug had moved to Taunton from Blackburn a few years back. He told me many stories of standing on the terraces at Ewood, watching Bryan Douglas and Ronnie Clayton, of going to Wembley and recounting the times when Rovers were a major force in football. I began to listen out for their results from 1992 and felt there was something special about the club and something very special was happening, which I wanted to be part of. I supported Blackburn Rovers from that point and its been one hell of a roller-coaster ride! The premier league championship was won when I was 16 and the joy was incredible. Doug got to enjoy that huge success before passing away the following year. I posted a little on this site back in the late 90s when I was a student (including some embarrasingly naiive and pretentious posts, I suspect!) and came back to it 4 or 5 years ago. I enjoy reading peoples' views and keeping up with news on the club I have come to love, albeit from quite a distance. Lets hope this morning's news regarding a potential Qatari takeover comes to fruition, this feels like a major crossroads and reminds me of that time in the early 90s- the feeling that something amazing might happen. Venkys- please don't keep us heading down the wrong path! All the best Devon Rover